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Post being replied to

Lou Somogyi (God rest him) always said hiring a new coach by irish2x

is all about timing. Most coaches are meatheads, to borrow our favorite troll's nomenclature. Most would not recognize the supposed weaknesses of ND football as actual strengths that differentiate it from the other power programs around the US. I don't think Kelly seems them that way, but he's managed to live within the boundaries of some while also demanding changes in others.

When we put together lists of coaches who we think would be better than Kelly, it's almost laughable. Take Saban for example. I have a good family friend who is very tied into the Alabama program. He says that he's never met a bigger control freak in his life. Every movement of that program is practically at his bidding. Do we think Saban would enjoy coaching at ND? Kirby Smart is the same, although Notre Dame may as well be on Mars for him.

I do think ND can win a title, and, strangely enough, I owe Kelly for that optimism. But of course he's never going to get us there for a litany of reasons, most notably his offense and his inability to put a good QB on the field. But it can be done. We still recruit highly--look at the 2023 class right now. The old academic excuse is fairly overblown and used as a crutch. It appears Freeman doesn't much stand for it. So, with the right guy who is dedicated to recruiting and loves the school, we'd be set.

The issue is that guy was probably Urban Meyer, and he is a total scumbag. Fickell could be that guy. He has Meyer qualities without the baggage. But we are in a timeframe now where several good to great programs this year and likely next year will be looking for coaches, so Fickell may be gone before we know it.

Another question would be how long can we hold onto Kelly without losing our patience? And, secondarily, can we give our AD that job knowing he will likely do something stupid with it, like hire Rees.